Rule 23: Four-Ball: Play Together, Best Score Counts
What this is about
Rule 23 covers four-ball: you and your partner each play your own ball. Your best score counts on each hole.
What you need to do
- Both partners play their own ball on every hole.
- The lower of your two scores is the team score for that hole.
- If only one of you finishes the hole, that score counts.
- If neither of you finishes, your team loses the hole in match play and is disqualified in stroke play.
- In stroke play, you fill in one scorecard for the team and note who made each score. Leave that out and you're disqualified.
Common mistake
Recording only the team score without noting who made it. That makes the card invalid.
Example
You score a 5 on hole 1, your partner Jan scores a 6. You record the 5 with your name next to it. The team score for that hole is 5.
Practise this rule with real exam questions in the free app.
23.1 Overview
You play four-ball with two partners who each play their own ball, in match play or stroke play. On each hole, the better score of the two counts as the side's score. In principle, a penalty for one partner doesn't affect the other.
23.2 Scoring in four-ball
23.2a The side's score per hole
The lower score of the two partners counts as the side's score. If one partner doesn't hole out, that's not a penalty as long as the other finishes the hole.
23.2b Scorecard in stroke play
For each hole, at least the gross score of the partner whose score counts must be recorded, clearly showing who made it. If that's missing, the side is disqualified. Only one of the two partners needs to certify the card; the Committee adds up the scores.
23.3 Beginning and end of the round
23.3a Start
The round begins when one of the partners makes a stroke on the first hole.
23.3b End
In match play, the round ends as soon as the result of the match is decided, so when you win or when the match is level after the last hole. In stroke play, it ends once the side has finished the last hole: both partners holed out, or one partner holed out and the other stopped.
23.3c Hole completed
The hole is completed once both partners have holed out, or choose not to hole out. In match play, the hole is also completed as soon as the result of the hole is decided.
23.4 One or both partners may represent the side
A partner may represent the side for the whole round or part of it; the two of you don't both need to be present. If the absent partner arrives later, they may only join in between two holes.
23.5 Actions that affect the partner's play
23.5a Actions on behalf of your partner
You may do anything with your partner's ball that your partner could do before their stroke: mark it, lift it, replace it, drop it. You can't help beyond that: you may not give your partner assistance that their caddie wouldn't be allowed to give either.
23.5b Responsibility
Anything you do with your partner's ball or equipment counts as if your partner did it. So a penalty goes on your partner's name.
23.6 Order of play
You and your partner may play in whatever order suits your side best.
23.7 Partners may share the same clubs
You may use your partner's clubs, as long as the two of you have no more than 14 clubs between you.
23.8 Partner may not stand behind the other player
While your partner is making a stroke, you must not stand on or close to the line of play extended behind the ball, to gather information for your own next stroke.
Practice questions about Rule 23
In a four-ball match, partner A scores a 6 and partner B scores a 4 on a par 4. What's the team score for that hole?
Answer: 4 (the lowest score)
In four-ball, the lower score of the two partners counts as the team score (Rule 23.2a). Partner B scored a 4, so the team score is 4. Partner A's 6 doesn't count.
Can your partner mark your ball in four-ball?
Answer: Yes, partners may mark and lift each other's ball
In four-ball, your partner may mark, lift and replace your ball, just like you can (Rule 23.5).
What is a "four-ball"?
Answer: Two teams of two, each player plays their own ball, the best score counts
In four-ball, both partners play their own ball. The lowest score of the team on each hole counts.
What is a 'four-ball' match?
Answer: Two teams of two players, each plays their own ball, the team's best score counts
In four-ball, each player plays their own ball. The team's best score counts on each hole.
Your partner commits a rules breach in four-ball. What is the consequence?
Answer: Only the partner who committed the breach is penalized
In four-ball, usually only the partner who committed the breach is penalized. Sometimes it affects the whole team, for example with an incorrectly completed scorecard or if neither partner finishes the hole.